Universal spring loaded clamp
A clamp is described, having two crescent shaped jaws which are spring loaded for engaging a planer surface to support an article therefrom.
(1) Field of the Invention
This invention is directed to universal spring loaded securing clamp that can fit any conceivable type or design of hand-bag or purse, with or without a carrying strap, or any bag used for the carrying of items, or any container that is used to carry or s,tore items that is within the weight carrying capacities of the specific application of the invention for the purposes of suspending it from any horizontal or vertical surface provided that the surface has a dimension sufficient to accommodate the invention and the attached suspended article or container of articles . . . i.e. a thickness in one dimension, and a plane in the perpendicular to that dimension, as in a table-top, a chair back, a railing, etc.
Many carriers of handbags complain of not having a secure method of hanging their bags in a safe, visible and readily accessible manner when they are out and about. This includes, but is in no way limited to restaurants, theaters, shopping venues, meetings, or anywhere that the bag would need to be removed from the person, but still kept in close proximity for security and or ready access. More often than not, a table, chair or desk will be in contact with the owner of such handbag or purse.
In view of the above mentioned problem, there is a need for a universal spring loaded hinged securing clamp that can be easily attached to a strap, zipper, loop or any other method of attachment to any conceivable type of handbag, purse, or container used for carrying items. The design and the appearance of the clamp can be adorned, decorated or covered in any fashion to compliment the esthetics of the handbag, purse or container if so desired by the user. It can accompany a particular bag, purse or container used for carrying items at the time of purchase, or be available separate and apart from the bag, purse or container used for carrying items and secured to it by means of a simple loop or other connecting device readily available to the end user.
(2) Description of Related Art
Applicant is aware of no prior art directly relevant to the present invention.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONIn accordance with the present invention, universal spring loaded clamp is comprised of two semi-lunar members hinged together at one end to allow an articulating joint that is kept in a closed position by the tension of a simple band spring and opposite ends or “jaws” that are covered at their respective ends with non-slip frictional rubber or vinyl composition grips. The jaws of the clamp when fully closed without engaging any surface such as a table top, chair, railing or other similar entity are open slightly to avoid the pinching of an operator's fingers. When engaging a surface such as a table top, chair, railing or other similar entity, the tension exerted by the spring at the articulating joint will, along with the frictional properties of thenon-slip rubber or vinyl composition grips be sufficient to suspend any handbag, purse or similar container used for carrying objects from table top, chair, railing or other similar entity.
The opposite ends of the crescent shaped jaws have affixed to them non-slip spherical pads (2) that cause friction between the jaws and any planar surface that they might engage for the purpose of suspending the article from the clamp assembly. The hinge joint (4) has a simple flat band spring (3) orientated in such a way as to exert pressure towards the open jaw end of the clamp, and tension should the jaws be widened or opened as they would be to engage a planar or other object. The tension in the spring would always result in constant pressure in an opposite direction so as to exert a fore on the non-slip pads at the opposite end of the jaws, that together with the pressure of the spring, the non-slip property of the pads at the opposite end of the jaws, and the gravity of the weight of the suspended article, would keep the article securely suspended from the planar or other object until the article was removed along with the clamp by manually spreading the clamp to disengage the planar or other surface. The outside surface of one or both of the crescent shaped jaws, i.e. the surfaces that would not be approximating the engaged planar or other object, have a track (6) that runs along the surface from the hinge (4) to the no-slip pad (2), with this track being undercut along its side walls so as to accommodate a slide (7) to which can be attached a universal ring (8) that can have a strap or other device that is part of the article being suspended and allow it to travel along the track so as to seek a position perpendicular to a planar object by the force of gravity when attached to a planar or other surface.
Claims
1. A spring loaded clamp suitable for engaging a planer surface and having means to support an article suspended therefrom.
2. The clamp of claim 1, which includes two crescent shaped jaws and a hinge joining them at one end.
3. The clamp of claim 2, wherein said hinge has a spring extending tension against opening of said jaws.
4. The clamp of claim 2, wherein the ends of jaws which are opposite the hinged ends, are provided with non-slip pads.
5. The clamp of claim 2, wherein the means to support comprises a ring movably attached in a track on the outer periphery of said jaws.
6. The clamp of claim 3, wherein the spring comprises a flat band.
7. The clamp of claim 2, which includes an elastic membrane extending between the inner periphery of said jaws, said membrane being suitable for printing thereon.
8. The clamp of claim 1, wherein the article suspended is a handbag.
Type: Application
Filed: Feb 29, 2008
Publication Date: Sep 3, 2009
Inventor: Margarita V. Lans (Highland Park, IL)
Application Number: 12/072,825
International Classification: A44B 21/00 (20060101);